This is a lawsuit in Superior Court against the state Department of Health (DOH) for making it more difficult for patients with debilitating medical conditions to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program. The suit was brought on behalf of the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition, the Rhode Island Academy of Physician Assistants, Rhode Island Medical Society, and an individual whose application to participate in the medical marijuana program was denied by the DOH under the new policy.
Oct 15, 2012
Rhode Island Medical Society Joins ACLU Lawsuit Over Restrictive Medical Marijuana Policy
Adding more weight to the seriousness of the issues involved in the case, the Rhode Island Medical Society (RIMS) has joined as a plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit filed earlier this week, challenging the state Department of Health (DOH) for making it more difficult for patients with debilitating medical conditions to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program.
Oct 09, 2012
Statements from News Conference Participants (Regarding Restrictive Medical Marijuana Policy)
JoAnne Leppanen, Executive Director, Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition: “Many patients who are applying to the Rhode Island medical marijuana program for the first time are experiencing a new hurdle that is delaying their admission to the program and forcing them to see more doctors and pay additional fees. Some patients and their caregivers who need to renew their licenses are in a panic as they scramble to form relationships with new physicians before their licenses expire and their legal protections evaporate. The patients who qualify for the medical marijuana program are among the sickest and most vulnerable of our citizens. Medical marijuana is vital medicine for their health. The Health Department's arbitrary and sudden reversal of policy has wreaked havoc on the health of some of our most fragile citizens.”
Oct 09, 2012
Seven Years of Executive Agency Resistance to Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Laws
2005: The R.I. Department of Health (DOH) testifies before legislative committees against passage of a medical marijuana bill. The General Assembly nonetheless approves the bill. The legislation, which contains a two-year sunset provision, is vetoed by Governor Donald Carcieri, but the General Assembly overrides the veto.
Oct 09, 2012
ACLU Sues Department of Health Over Restrictive Medical Marijuana Policy
The Rhode Island ACLU has filed a lawsuit in Superior Court against the state Department of Health (DOH) for making it more difficult for patients with debilitating medical conditions to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program. The suit, filed by RI ACLU volunteer attorney John Dineen, was brought on behalf of the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition, the Rhode Island Academy of Physician Assistants, and an individual whose application to participate in the medical marijuana program was denied by the DOH under the new policy.
Related News & Podcasts
Oct 15, 2012
Rhode Island Medical Society Joins ACLU Lawsuit Over Restrictive Medical Marijuana Policy
Adding more weight to the seriousness of the issues involved in the case, the Rhode Island Medical Society (RIMS) has joined as a plaintiff in the ACLU lawsuit filed earlier this week, challenging the state Department of Health (DOH) for making it more difficult for patients with debilitating medical conditions to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program.
Oct 09, 2012
Statements from News Conference Participants (Regarding Restrictive Medical Marijuana Policy)
JoAnne Leppanen, Executive Director, Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition: “Many patients who are applying to the Rhode Island medical marijuana program for the first time are experiencing a new hurdle that is delaying their admission to the program and forcing them to see more doctors and pay additional fees. Some patients and their caregivers who need to renew their licenses are in a panic as they scramble to form relationships with new physicians before their licenses expire and their legal protections evaporate. The patients who qualify for the medical marijuana program are among the sickest and most vulnerable of our citizens. Medical marijuana is vital medicine for their health. The Health Department's arbitrary and sudden reversal of policy has wreaked havoc on the health of some of our most fragile citizens.”
Oct 09, 2012
Seven Years of Executive Agency Resistance to Rhode Island Medical Marijuana Laws
2005: The R.I. Department of Health (DOH) testifies before legislative committees against passage of a medical marijuana bill. The General Assembly nonetheless approves the bill. The legislation, which contains a two-year sunset provision, is vetoed by Governor Donald Carcieri, but the General Assembly overrides the veto.
Oct 09, 2012
ACLU Sues Department of Health Over Restrictive Medical Marijuana Policy
The Rhode Island ACLU has filed a lawsuit in Superior Court against the state Department of Health (DOH) for making it more difficult for patients with debilitating medical conditions to participate in the state’s medical marijuana program. The suit, filed by RI ACLU volunteer attorney John Dineen, was brought on behalf of the Rhode Island Patient Advocacy Coalition, the Rhode Island Academy of Physician Assistants, and an individual whose application to participate in the medical marijuana program was denied by the DOH under the new policy.
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